Deputy Chief of Party, Program - Suaahara II

Helen Keller International
JOB DESCRIPTION

Deputy Chief of Party, Program - Suaahara II

(Kathmandu, Nepal)

Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition and diseases of poverty. Cofounded by Helen Keller – and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential – the organization delivers life-changing health solutions to vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited. In the US, Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.

Background

The “Suaahara II Good Nutrition Program” is a seven-year USAID-funded cooperative agreement for an integrated nutrition program in Nepal that is currently funded through March 20213. The focus of Suaahara II is to improve the nutritional status of women and children under two years of age through an integrated nutrition, family planning, maternal, newborn and child health (FP/MNCH) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs. The project is designed in line with and implemented to fully support the Government of Nepal's Multisectoral Nutrition Plan II. With offices in 22 districts and field teams located in 42 districts across the country, the program received an additional allocation for COVID-19 activities.

Functional Relationships

Reporting to Chief of Party, the Deputy Chief of Party, Program (DCOP) supervises a team of professional-level staff and serves on the Program Management and Country Management Teams.

Helen Keller is structured in such a way that the work of each department supports and reinforces the work of every other department. Our matrixed reporting structure respects both the line management and authority within country office and global management hierarchies; and the accountability and oversight duties of the many subject matter experts that support our country offices and programs. This mix of vertical and horizontal reporting lines is intended to balance the need for consistent global standards and compliance with the ability to adapt those standards to be most effective in the many contexts where we work. Regular communication and a spirit of teamwork among colleagues are essential to make this structure thrive.

Helen Keller’s programs require close relations with governments, partner NGOs, food industries, and donors. More specifically, this position will require working closely with the Government of Nepal primarily through Ministry of Health and Population, and in collaboration with the National Planning Commission, Ministry of Agriculture Development and Ministry of Finance and Administrative Governance. The DCOP plays a key role in nurturing and overseeing these cooperative relationships, and representing Helen Keller to donors and the international community, as needed.

Scope of the Position

The DCOP, Program for Suaahara II will function as the key personnel responsible for overall management of all program activities at federal, provincial and municipality levels. S/he will oversee the implementation of the health and multisector nutrition sector strategies under the Suaahara II program and facilitate coordination and integration of cross-cutting strategies including health systems strengthening, gender and social inclusion, risk management and operational management in emergencies. The DCOP will apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills and produce high-quality end of project documentation.

Specific Responsibilities

Program Implementation

• Provide up-to-date, evidence-based technical guidance and support to the Program Management Team **
• Lead the implementation of program strategies and data-informed annual work plans to ensure program scale is maintained with quality and equity. **
• Ensure the technical quality of program interventions and oversee the field teams in achieving the program results effectively and efficiently.**
• Work closely with government counterparts in the Ministry of Health and Population and other relevant ministries to integrate Suaahara activities within government systems and provide technical support to facilitate alignment of strategies with current government policy and the Multisector Nutrition Plan II.**
• Promote program learning through sharing of technical information among the staff and government counterparts so that state-of-the-art approaches are applied consistently across all project interventions.**
• Implement health systems related quality improvement tools in partnership with government counterparts.**
• Guide program managers in the implementation of health and nutrition responses in emergencies, particularly in managing the consequences of COVID-19 on women and its effects on the nutritional status of young children.**
• Represent the project’s activities to the nutrition community through the participation in and/or organization of conferences, workshops, and seminars. **
• Participate in and present on behalf of the project in appropriate technical meetings and conferences. **

Program Documentation

• Support the development of knowledge products for government counterparts at all levels.**
• Identify, and/or research opportunities for capacity building for local partners and contribute to the development of the project’s strategic and annual work plans and ensure that project documents and reports incorporate the latest technical approaches and interventions. **
• Work closely with the multisectoral program teams to document implementation processes, best practices and lessons learned during the Suaahara II implementation period through a range of technical reports, briefs, publications, and presentations.
• Capture, synthesize and disseminate program results for a wider audience, national and global, for improved understanding of Suaahara’s programming approaches.

Program Operations

· Effectively consult and inform colleagues to maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing and integrate guidance and direction from subject matter experts in your office and elsewhere in the global organization to maximize performance.

· Provide guidance and coaching to program managers and coordinators for the integration and sustainability of multisector nutrition interventions at provincial and municipal levels.

· Monitor program implementation and ensure that program operations are on track and address issues and challenges to timely program operations.

· Delegate authority, consult with, and guide staff to achieve goals and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.

· Provide regular communication and interaction opportunities for continuous learning in achievement of programmatic outcomes.

· Provide inputs to the annual budgeting and oversee the work planning process.

Qualifications

· A minimum of six years of experience in a managerial position in nutrition, WASH, public health programs and health and nutrition in emergencies in developing countries, ideally in Nepal or elsewhere in Asia, with a minimum of three years of developing country field experience in management or technical assistance to an applied nutrition or primary health care program; plus

· A post-graduate degree (master’s or doctoral level) in public health, nutrition, health sciences, or a related field and demonstrated experience in management of large, community-based projects and in management of large inter-disciplinary teams; or equivalent combination of skills and experience.

· Demonstrated expertise in the relevant technical areas including public health, nutrition, water/sanitation/hygiene, household food production, behavior change communications, capacity building, community mobilization, applied research, capacity development of community entities and local NGOs, strengthening public sector service delivery systems, technical and program innovations, as well as multi-sector approaches.

· Demonstrated success across the full range of project management: strategic program planning; work planning and budgeting; financial, administrative, award management and oversight; knowledge of and experience with USAID requirements), policies and regulations; relationship management with multiple clients; oversight of program monitoring and evaluation; and documentation of results for USAID-funded programs.

· Must have creative and analytical abilities, good communication skills, substantial experience in monitoring and evaluation, and, ideally experience in youth, gender and social inclusion

· Demonstrated expertise and experience in community-based development programs focused on organizing local government, community mobilization, SBCC, reaching and mobilizing disadvantaged groups, engaging communities in self-help action or related activities.

· Demonstrated problem solving skills, collaboration experience, creativity and willingness to innovate.

· Excellent written and speaking English skills. Fluency in Nepali or other local languages an advantage.

• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively in teams and cross-cultural settings.
• Excellent capacity building, team building/management, and coordination skills. An ability to ability to delegate responsibilities effectively and coach and mentor staff.
• An ability to work in challenging and changing environments, to find solutions to emerging challenges, and maintain balance when under stress.

· Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender, with a high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the application of information technology to Helen Keller program areas. Knowledge of software used to prepare presentations and other work documents (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).

  Ability and willingness to undertake extensive field travel (approx. 30%) often under difficult conditions, once the pandemic allows.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to hki.recruitment@hki.org Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller

is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is fully valued.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email above or call: +1 646-356-1789.